Ethiopia: Horticulture sector on the right track to hit GTP II targets

Horticulture is one of the sub sectors of agriculture that received due attention in the second Growth and Transformation Plan (II). As stated in the plan, the development of horticulture plays two crucial roles in the economy: earning foreign currency and creating job opportunities.

Regarding foreign currency earnings, Ethiopia has managed to greatly transform its horticulture sector within a span of 15 years. Through attracting potential investors, the country has generated close to 300 million USD from exports, according to Ethiopia's Horticulture and Agriculture Investment Authority (EHAI).

In earlier times, the sector was characterized by the adoption of traditional farming systems rather than modern agriculture techniques. As a result, its contribution to the country's economic development was insignificant.

Following the introduction of modern agricultural technologies and techniques, the sector has been growing and contributing to national export earnings. Recent data from the Authority show that it has created jobs for over 200,000 citizens, of which 70 percent are females.

Mechanized horticulture production has shown an exponential growth in only 12 years. Currently, there are 136 investors in Ethiopia that are engaged in the export of flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs. Ethiopia has 84 active flower farms and is the second largest flower producer and exporter in Africa next to Kenya.

Some 12,797 hectares of suitable land are available for horticulture in the country, of which 11 per cent have so far been exploited. Currently, companies are producing flowers on 1,600 hectares of land. According to the Ethiopian Horticulture and Agriculture Investment, 130 investors have invested in the country's horticulture sector.

Source: http://allafrica.com